Best-selling author and social-change guru Malcolm Gladwell urged local leaders yesterday morning to make the most of Philadelphia’s “human potential.” . . . [He] offered three reasons he believes this potential, in general, is underused: the limits of poverty, “stupidity” in how leaders often approach problems, and negative attitudes.

“The question of how much we want to achieve in a certain area is up to us,” he said, arguing against the idea that some people are destined for success.